Truck



TRUCK Filed Aug. 11, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y N I I 1' & I I

,f/ N 1 I IIIIIII/IIIIA Inventor Attorney Patented May 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRUCK Thomas O. Kincaid, Jr., Steubenvllle, Ohio Application August 11, 1934, Serial No. 139,489

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in loading and unloading apparatus for use particularly in steel plants, although it will be understood that the device may be used for any purpose for which it may be found adapted.

The primary object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus of the aforementioned character embodying a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts through the medium of which bundles of sheet steel, for example, may be expeditiously loaded into a box car.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a loading and unloading apparatus of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use, compact and operable in small or restricted spaces, and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Fig. l is a View in side elevation of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view.

Fig. 3 is a rear end elevational view.

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view, looking at the front of the apparatus.

' Fig. 5 is a View in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated comprises a pair of wheeled units which are designated generally by the reference numeral I. As the units I are identical in construction, a detailed description of one will sufliee for both.

Each unit I includes a metallic side wall 2 on the lower edge of which is a right angularly extending integral flange 3. The reference numeral 4 designates a bundle of steel which is tied in the usual manner, as at 5, skids 5 being secured longitudinally beneath said bundle. The side walls 2 of the units l are engageable with the sides of the bundle 4 and the supporting flanges 3 are engageable beneath said bundle as illustrated to advantage in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The units I are drawn tightly against the sides of the bundle 4 through the medium of manually operable binders I which are connected to the ends of said units I, as at 8.

Mounted vertically on the forward portions of the side walls 2 are cylinders 9 in which fluidactuated pistons (not shown) are mounted for reciprocation. The rods ll) of the pistons are rigidly secured to plates II from which yokes l2 depend. Journaled in the yokes I2 are supporting wheels I3. The reference numeral I4 designates angular guides which are mounted on the side walls 2 and which are slidably engaged in grooves or channels which are provided therefor in the plates II, as best seen in Figs. 1 and 2 oil the drawings.

Mounted on the rear ends of the side walls 2 are angular brackets I5 beneath which cylinders I6 are mounted. Fluid-actuated pistons are also mounted for reciprocation in the cylinders I6 and the rods I'I thereof are rigidly secured to plates I8. Caster wheels I9 are journaled in yokes 20 which are rotatably mounted beneath the plates I8. The angular bracket I5 includes integral flanged guides 2| which are slidably engaged in grooves provided therefor in the plate I8.

The reference numeral 22 designates pumps which are mounted on the side walls 2, said pumps being operable by hand levers 23. Conduits 24 connect the pumps 22 with the cylinders 9 and IS on each of the units I, said conduits having interposed therein, preferably adjacent the pumps 22, control valves 25.

From a consideration of the foregoing, it is thought that the manner of using the apparatus will be readily apparent, particularly to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. The bundle of steel is supported in elevated position by the skids 6 which facilitates the introduction under said steel of the supporting flanges 3, it being assumed, of course, that the units l are in lowered position. It may be well to here state that even when the units I are in lowered position, the flanges 3 are spaced slightly above the loading platform or other supporting surface. After the units I are engaged with opposite sides of the bundle, the binders I are brought into use to tightly secure said units. The pumps 22 are then actuated to elevate the units I, with the bundle of steel 4 mounted therebetween, and said bundle is then ready to be moved to the desired location, as in a box-car and deposited. Of course, lowering of the load is accomplished by simply returning the fluid to the pumps 22 from the cylinders 8 and I. The caster wheels is on u the rear of the apparatus facilitate maneuvering said apparatus in small or restricted spaces.

It is believed that the many advantages of a loading and unloading apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embOdll'ileIlt of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts, may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a truck of the class described, a unit comprising a load engaging and elevating member, supporting flanges on said member adapted to engage a load, a cylinder secured to the front portion of said member, a reciprocating piston in said cylinder having a piston rod depending therefrom, a plate secured to the free end of said piston rod and being provided on its end with guide slots, a yoke depending from said plate, a wheel mounted in said yoke, angularly shaped guides secured to said member on each side of said plate and being receivable in said slot, and hydraulic means for actuating the piston in said cylinder.

2. In a truck of the class described.'a unit comprising a load engaging and elevating member, supporting flanges on said member adapted to engage a load, a cylinder secured to the front portion of said member, a reciprocating piston in said cylinder having a piston rod depending therefrom, a plate secured to the free end of said piston rod and being provided'on its end with guide slots, a yoke depending from said plate, a wheel mounted in said yoke, angularly shaped guides secured to said member on each side of said plate and being receivable in said slot, an inverted U-shaped support and guide secured to the other end of said member, a cylinder depending from the bight portion of said support, a reciprocating piston in said cylinder having a depending piston rod, a plate secured to said piston rod having grooves in the end thereof for receiving the guides of said support, a yoke depending from said plate, a wheel mounted in said yoke, and hydraulic means for simultaneously actuating the pistons in said cylinders.

THOMAS C. KINCAID, JR. 

